WATCH: Jim Calhoun thanks athletic directors for their hard work that often goes unrecognized.

Learn more about Jim Calhoun:

Jim Calhoun is widely recognized as one of the most transformative coaches in men’s college basketball history. After playing collegiately at American International College (graduating in 1968), he began his coaching career in high school before taking over at Northeastern University in 1972 and elevating the program from Division II to a regular NCAA Division I tournament contender. In 1986 he became head coach at University of Connecticut (UConn), where his leadership turned the Huskies into a national powerhouse. Among his many achievements: three NCAA National Championships (1999, 2004, 2011) and numerous Big East regular-season and tournament titles. Calhoun’s honors include induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. His legacy is built not only on wins and championships, but on his ability to rebuild programs, instill toughness and discipline, and create a culture of sustained excellence—qualities that make him a model for leadership in sport and beyond.